Legal cover for car insurance - Buy separately?

[Deleted User]

£30 for legal cover - no thanks.

Surely someone must sell this separately? I get the feeling the addition of a £30 policy onto your car insurance is a bit of a money maker for insurance companies...

InsideInsurance

It is a massive money maker for Motor insurers!

Be careful with any free or budget covers though as many wont cover small claims (eg non injury up to £5,000) or cases where there is a definite joint liability between you and the other party(s)

[Deleted User]

Well, I dont mind paying for. I remember a while ago it used to be around £10 or so for this but now it seems to have gone up to £30 which seems a bit much to me.

InsideInsurance

The reality is that despite the prices insurers get around 90-95% of customers buying it.... I am sure many dont understand what it is or how it works but the fears of how everyone becoming more litigious and £30 for £100,000 cover sounds a good deal.

As Lee says, the insurer also gets paid by its suppliers so it is a real win win situation for them however most (if not all) the free/ budget ones only cover the situations which a no win, no fee solicitor would and leaves you on your own if you have a classic 50:50 accident (eg narrow lane collision, both drivers admit to be moving at the time of the collision)

[Deleted User]

InsideInsurance wrote: »

The reality is that despite the prices insurers get around 90-95% of customers buying it.... I am sure many dont understand what it is or how it works but the fears of how everyone becoming more litigious and £30 for £100,000 cover sounds a good deal.

As Lee says, the insurer also gets paid by its suppliers so it is a real win win situation for them however most (if not all) the free/ budget ones only cover the situations which a no win, no fee solicitor would and leaves you on your own if you have a classic 50:50 accident (eg narrow lane collision, both drivers admit to be moving at the time of the collision)

OK. Fair point. So are you able to recommend a decent one? i.e. not tied to insurer.

dalesrider

If you are fully comp. Why do you need legal ins...

You pay for the Ins co to resolve any issues.

I never take it out now. Plenty of companies who will take a case on for you should you ever need their services.
Other than that. The money is better in my pocket.

Quentin

dalesrider wrote: »

If you are fully comp. Why do you need legal ins...

You pay for the Ins co to resolve any issues......

Having FC insurance doesn't mean your insurer will "resolve any issues".

In particular they won't do what so called "legal cover" does (it isn't legal cover at all, just "uninsured loss recovery").

If you need to recover any uninsured losses after a claim (eg excess), then your FC insurance won't help at all!

Either DIY, get a solicitor, or use "legal cover"!

[Deleted User]

3rd party in any case.

Insurance is only £130/year (car worth £500) which is why I'm not so keen on £30 for legal cover.

lisyloo

which is why I'm not so keen on £30 for legal cover.

You don't have to buy this cover.
If you had a case where the solictor could claim back fees e.g. personal injury then you'll be able to get legal help on a "no win no fee" basis.
Another option if you are reasonably articulate would be to DIY e.g. write a letter and claim back off a 3rd party solicitor yourself. Perhaps with guidance from forums like this.

The insurance only really helps you in a limited set of circumstances.
I personally have a combined family legal care policy but I know these are pretty hard to get hold of, because people can't buy it even when I mentioned the company and policy.

The reason why you can't get it cheaply is that anyone that sells you one is exposed to various risks e.g. £500 to the FOS for complaints.
It's simply not worth their bother selling these polciies cheap and standlone for a few quid.

Hence I think unfortauntely the answer is either
a) Pay the £30
b) Don't get one and go DIY
c) Get a few free ones off the internet but be aware the cover may be limited. They may actually be little more than referrals and may not be much better than b), although you may get lucky and find one with actual cover.

BTW - I bought my composite policy (cars. bikes, home) for £10, so if you have a broker then ask them, they might be able to do you a favour.
However if you've done DIY on the net then obviosuly you aren't going to get that.

InsideInsurance

Lee_Jones wrote: »

Try these as an alternative

www.spam.co.uk

Promoting your and Tom's company again Lee hu?

[Deleted User]

Found this :-

http://www.bestadviceuk.co.uk/index.html

£10 a year